Chicago Voice Lessons: Thomas Alaan

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Introduction: My name's Thomas and I teach singing in Chicago. I grew up in a family of educators so teaching is in my blood. I've been teaching people to sing for over a decade - first in Dallas and now in Chicago. I love working with people from all backgrounds and skill levels and helping them reach their goals. I'd love to work with you.

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1 employee

19 years in business

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This pro accepts payments via Cash and Venmo.

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Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and value.

5.0

2 reviews

100%

Bruno R.

Aug 19, 2018

I have been studying with Thomas for two and a half years now after a few years of not singing. He is extremely knowledgeable in vocal pedagogy and a great coach of singing styles and interpretation. One of the methods that helped me the most was to work my middle voice to make the rest easier and free. We worked a lot on my chest register, which I was always skeptical to try as a countertenor. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only did it give me the strength I needed for my upper register, it also allowed me to expand my vocal range.

Rebecca W.

Aug 19, 2018

I sing soprano with the Chicago Chorale, an all-volunteer choral organization with an audition requirement. To sing with the Chorale you need to be able to sing two arias, one in German, sight read, generally be able to produce a reasonably accurate pitch and attractive tone quality and generally be a nice person. It's selective but not so selective that the director only takes professionally trained singers. When I auditioned, at 36, I hadn't sung since undergrad. I didn't own a piano. I found my aria books in the bottom of a box. I practiced, on short notice, for three days. It was a rough audition. But, one way or another, they let me sing! My natural tone quality is high, thin and whistly. That technique works, in a choir, but it's a fast track to throat pain and nodes. I was struggling with the range and couldn't produce the volume I wanted to hear so I asked my section who they would recommend for voice lessons. On day one Thomas transformed my whistle into something Puccini would have, okay let's be honest, Puccini would've been irritated but it was a heck of a lot closer to what Puccini would've been looking for than the whistle ever was. I learned how to adjust my breathing and vocal anatomy to produce a full tone at a much louder dynamic while maintaining an attractive tone quality. After that, the hoarseness and pain in my throat with which I ended every rehearsal went away. Thomas is seriously a miracle worker. If you're doubting, just try it. Take it from me. You'll hear the difference within the first hour.

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Thomas Lipsmeyer

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My pricing is very competitive with other teachers at my educational and experience level. I also have a discounted price for current and recent graduates of university music programs ($40/lesson) with proof of enrollment or graduation date. With bulk deals, I'm happy to provide a discounted rate!
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I meet people where they're at, which involves getting to know someone and their skill level. At our first lesson, I'd first ask you about your background and experience level, as well as just some questions to get to know you and your goals a little better. I'd then walk you through some vocal exercises to assess what you're able to do. After observing you through these exercises, I'd make one or two small technical suggestions that we could work on to improve your sound. As we continue to work together, I'll help you become an active observer of your own singing, we'll layer on additional exercises meant to improve your singing ability, and work on music that is interesting to you.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My formal education includes a Bachelors of Music Education (2005) from Alderson-Broaddus University; a Masters in Vocal Pedgaogy (2007) from Texas Woman's University where I studied with renowned pedagogue Joan Wall; and a Doctorate in Vocal Performance (2021) which I am currently pursuing at the University of Wisconsin - Madison with Jim Doing, one of the original designers of the voice training software Voce Vista. I have a studied privately with many amazing teachers, including Sheri Greenawald (San Francisco Young Artist Training Program), Mark Crayton (Roosevelt University), Ellen Hargis (Boston Early Music Festival, Newberry Consort), Elizabeth Parker (American Institute of Musical Studies), Max von Egmond (Baroque Performance Institute, Sweelinck Conservatory), and Ann Baltz (OperaWorks).

Chicago Voice Lessons: Thomas Alaan

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